Smash and grab pleases Allen

Gills manager Martin Allen hailed his side after they chalked up their tenth away win of the season at Valley Parade.

Allen's second placed side pulled off a classic smash and grab raid, with in-form Cody McDonald grabbing his third goal in four league games since re-joining the club on loan from Coventry.

"It was another fantastic away performance," he said. "There were some outstanding individual displays but they were also tremendous as a unit.

"It was a great end to a week that has not been so great. Monday's home defeat against Wycombe hit us hard. Bradford are in a cup final, having beaten Premier League sides Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa, so for us to come here and win was pretty good going.

"Yesterday we had to train in the dark at Leeds' training ground because there was a crash on the motorway, so our preparations could have been better."

Hanson headed inches over the bar from Kyel Reid's cross in the 26th minute and it needed a superb double save from Stuart Nelson to foil Bradford captain Gary Jones and top scorer Nahki Wells.

Bradford keeper Matt Duke didn't have a shot to save until Chris Whelpdale tested him with a low drive after 52 minutes but the Bantams were caught out 12 minutes later.